What is it moves that jeweled throng of dainty worshippers?
Their hearts have probed the cruel wrong that rankles sore in hers;
For she who sat beside her there--ah, heart of hardest stone!
Swept forth with stern and haughty stare, and left her there alone.
Then one, God bless her woman's heart! the loveliest woman there,
Stepped down the aisle with stately tread, and calm and steadfast air;
With gentle voice, and tender eyes distilling heaven's own dew,
She whispered to the shrinking girl, "I've room, my friend, for you."
I think earth's sorest sinners need a judge less stern than they
Who wear their ermine clasped across a breast of common clay!
I think heaven's loveliest angels come among us circling down,
To bear the cruel earthly cross, and then regain the crown.
Alas! alas! for paltry pride arrayed in rich attire,
And woe is me for priestly praise which is our heart's desire!
Would we could seek, like pilgrims gray, beside that sunlit sea,
The simple faith that lit the shores of sacred Galilee!
Sometimes it seems that ages past our souls have sojourned here;
But God's great angel guards the gate and stands beside the bier;
For when some mystic touch awakes the chords of memory,
His awful hand holds down the note, and clasps the quivering key.
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